Page 20 of Alice and Her Shifters (Dirty Paranormal Fairytale Haremlan 2)

Allison was different from any other woman I had ever met before. I knew as much the second I met her. My blood rushed through my veins and my wolf reacted to her scent. Once I saw her, I started questioning the plan. Not only that, but it was the moment I wanted something more out of life. I wanted her, but for much longer than one night or even the course of several nights. I hoped to make her my mate.

The plan was rather simple, which was one more thing that made me question the truthfulness of Milo’s side of the deal. All I had to do was get the amulet willingly or forcefully. The choice was up to the bearer.

I just didn’t think any of us expected someone like her. Milo might have, but he was never forthcoming with information. It was a thing with him. He had a way of convincing people… of tricking them to his benefit.

The plan wasn’t going to work the way he had wanted it anymore. There had to be a better way. I would be damned if I stood by and watched as he took her life.

And as if I didn’t have enough to deal with, I’ve got Camelia and her general to contend with on top of everything else.

I stepped through the forest, heading back to Aidan’s cottage, trying to figure out what Milo’s next steps were going to be. Camelia’s general showing up with a little bit of backup felt too coincidental, and I once again was struck with the suspicion Milo wasn’t being as forthcoming with the next steps as he wanted me to believe.

With Allison here, there was too much risk. I never got wrapped up in a woman like this before, and I have had my fair share of conquests under my belt. Literally and figuratively. Yet, here I was.

They had to have been looking for her. I was sure she was who the general referred to when he said, “the girl.”

The only thing that made the situation worse was Camelia’s general had slipped through my and Milo’s fingers. Milo took off in one direction as I went in another. I lost track of his scent, and I couldn’t find Milo which led me to believe he had turned around and headed back toward Aidan’s cottage. The wizard probably stayed behind to keep an eye on things and make sure Allison didn’t fall into Camelia’s hands.

On the way back, I had caught the general’s scent again and followed it before coming to a stream and losing it all over again. I was a few miles away from the cottage, and with no luck tracking the general, I had to give up, though I figured he would’ve headed back to report his findings to the red witch.

Once I was halfway back to the cottage, I shifted back into my human form. The cold night air nipped at my skin, keeping me distracted enough to not come up with anything useful which could be done to keep Allison safe until I could get her back home. I considered reaching out to King. He had always known what to do with tough decisions. His ability to keep a level head and push through the difficult problems without slowing down was part of the reasons why I respected the man so much.

But no. That wouldn’t work either. He was busy with his business and a woman of his own, and he was already willing to come for the big fight ahead of us. I couldn’t take him away from his life more than necessary. And only when things were ready, and Milo decided it was time to move.

Still, I could have used his ear and his advice. I supposed I was going to have to figure this one out on my own. As well as doing so had worked out for me in the past. I was in this mess because of my stellar ability to count on myself.

I snorted.

As I stepped onto the road which led directly to Aidan’s house, I decided that I would protect her if I needed to. It would satisfy my itch to keep her safe, and my wolf’s desire for protecting her. Even from myself if it came down to it.

It didn’t surprise me to find Milo sitting on the ground outside, looking ready to kill, when I finally arrived back at the cottage.

“What’s the matter, the general step on your tail?” I asked.

He glared at me. “Watch it, dog. I’m not in the mood for your jibes.”

“Miracles do happen,” I said and stopped a couple of feet in front of him. Strange sounds emanated from within. I stared at the house as a loud banging took over. “Is Aidan losing his shit again? And if so, where is Allison?”

The rumors that had surrounded the fallen wizard were as long as they were wide. One of them was his tendency for losing control and going ballistic on the things around him. Though I had never seen the destruction myself, he apparently leveled a portion of the forest before with an erratic, magical explosion. No one could pinpoint where such a location was, but there have been a few firsthand accounts I had heard from.

It wouldn’t surprise me if he was losing his shit after the mess we made in his front room. But I had promised myself I would protect Allison with my life, and I was concerned about Aidan taking things out on her.

No one could ever be sure of the motives of a mad man, after all.

Milo smirked sarcastically. “Just wait for it.”

Seconds later, pleasure-filled moans circulated through the air. My eyes widened and I stared at Milo in disbelief. I couldn’t fathom Aidan being able to perform much less make a woman scream like Allison was. I was surprised if not a little proud.

Then I realized who it was, and an iron weight settled in my gut, followed by a need to rip Aidan’s head from his shoulders the second my eyes laid on him. I felt sick with disgust. It was only after all this I had made the connection to Milo’s mood.

“Your foul mood is because Aidan beat you to Allison’s bed?”

“Alice,” Milo stated. “And technically, it’s Aidan’s bed.”

“Whatever.” I waved his correction away. “Jealous much?”

He snorted. “You’re joking, right?”

I pressed my lips together and shook my head. “From the looks of it, Aidan is the man at the top of your hit list.”

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